Communicating helmet



Jan. 24, 1928. 1,656,914

H. R. HART COMMUNICATING HELMET Filed Oct. 17. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY9 6, H: 1:52 I ?'M'/- SLIGTORNEYS Jan. 24, 1928.

H. R. HART COMMUNICATING HELMET Filed Oct. 17. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR naM/HKT Jan. 24, 1928. 1,656,914

H. R. HART COMMUNICATING HELMET Filed Oct. 1'7, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3'K( B 'dL d -f I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

'U N TED STATES HENRY RIDGEWAY HART, OF MONTGLAI-R, NEW JERSEY.

COMMUNICATING HELMET.

Application filed October 17, 1925. Serial No. 62,952.

This invention relates to helmets having associated therewith meanswhereby communication may be had with the wearer vocally which is notsubject to interruption in aircraft, for instance, by the roar of thepropeller, air pressure, etc. The invention has for itsparticular objectto associate with ahelmet of improved design means whereby communicationin ordinary tones may be had with the wearer of thehelmet or between therespective wearers of two helmets. To this endthe invention resides inthe specific combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed. In the accompanying drawings illustratingpreferred embodiments of the invention:

Figure l is a view showing a pair of intercommunicating helmets andmeans whereby the wearers of the helmets may carry on a conversation.

Figure 2 is view on an enlarged scale showing the'month piece for thecommunicating devices.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view in'detail, of the airpieceserving to insulatethe ear. from extraneous sound.

Figure 4 is a view showing the invention as applied to a one-way"communicating hel- Figure 5 is an enlarged front view showing amodified form of the helmet -accord ing to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side view on a smaller scale showing the helmet accordingto Figure 5.

In the drawings twoin'dividuals between whom communication is to be hadare indi cated at in and X. Each individual is provided with a. helmeta, A which are identical in structure. Carried with each helmet are earpieces b, b, "B, B. Also carried with each helmet is a mouth piece 0.0'. Between the two individuals :0, X, there may extend a commonflexible conduit (Z having a single pasage d therethrough. At either endof conduit all there is carried a three-way connector 6, E having branchpassages f, f, F, F connecting the ear pieces 5, B with the connections6, E. Connecting the mouth piece 0, C with the connections e, E aretubes 9, G. It will thus be seen that if the individual indicated at wwishes to communicate with the individual indicated at X he may speak inordinary tones into the mouth piece 6 and the sound waves will travelthrough the tube 57 common conduit d and tubes F, F to the ear pieces'13 worn by the wearerX and vice versa when the individual indicated atX desires to converse with the wearer a. In some instances :as with aninstructor and pupil it may be found desirable to have only onewaycommunication in which instance a pupil indicated at y and wearing thehelmet a may receive vocal instructions from an instructor wearing themouth piece 0. As no mouthpiece is provided for the student flyer atwo-way connection 2' is provided between the conduit cl and theearpiece tubes f.

The mouth piece, which is flexible, for use in connection with eitherthe one-way or the two way communicating helmets is shown on an enlargedscale in Figure 2. It comprises a flexible fabric cover forthe mouthindicated in general at a suitably hemmed as at c and terminating in thelowermost portion thereof in a cylindrical outlet 0 adapted to receivethe flexible tube 9 which in the, illustrated embodiment is formedinwardly of the cylindrical portion with an enlarged end g'beveled ateither end as at g and of sufficient length to terminate adjacent themouth of the wearer. The side extensions which areintended to overliethe wearers lip and which have been given the reference character 0 areprovided with eyelets 0 suitably reinforced as with leather at c for thereception of an elastic strap it provided with adjustable devices shownin Figure 4 at It. The elastic retaining means it may be readily wornover the ear pieces Z) asshown in Figure 1.

The helmet as shown in Figures 1 and 4:

'may be of the flexible variety formed of a series of panels of softleather a suitably shaped and stitched to conform to the head of thewearer and in Figure 3 the helmet is shown as comprising an outerlayerof flexible leather a suitably faced inwardly with 'leather binding a?along the edges. The lining is adapted to be secured to the interior ofthe helmet by snap fasteners a whereby the inner lining a of warmmaterial may be removed in warm weather in the interest of comfort. Thewarm inner lining a is provided with apertures a suitably bound withleather as at 11 in order to fit about the cushion b of the ear piece.

The ear piece may comprise in general a metallic elbow b to which theflexible conduit f is secured and which turn is can" is disclosed thecup-shaped cushioning element b hereinbefore referred to. lhiscushioning element may be formed of any convenient material, a speciesof sponger rubber being found most practical, Means are also providedfor retaining the ear pieces in snug engagement with the wearers ears.

In the illustrated embodiment in addition to a chin strap indicated ingeneral at. a straps are provided shown at a which are adapted to bethreaded through buckles at the crown. Similar buckles a are also showncarried with the forehead portion of the; helmet which areadapted tosecure forwardly extending straps a and similarly there maybe disposedstraps extending rearwardly from the ear pieces to buckles disposed onthe helmet in proximity to the base of the skull.

The invention may also in a rigid helmet adapted to afford a degree ofprotection in case of accident. I Such hel- I met is indicated inFigures 5 and 6 at 7' and may comprise sections 9" of sole leathersuitably formed and stitchedto conform to the head of wardly in therearas at y' 'to protect the base of the skull of the wearer. An additionalre-enforcement at the top as at 9' may also be provided. The helmet maybe lined .with any soft cushioning material, such as sheepskin with thewool inwardly. The helmet may be cut away as at. accommodate the. earsand at that portion may have extended thereacross a strap 3' cut away,if desired, at 1' to give greater free dom of movement of the earpieces. Immediately above the strap there may be disposed buckles y'.The ear pieces may comprise cups in of stiff leather having flanges kcontinuing at one point into straps is adapted-to thread into thebuckles j. Dia- -metrically oppositethe straps 70 there may j beincorporated the wearer and extending d0wn-' be secured a ring is forthe reception of an adjustable chin strap Z carrying a broad band ofsoft leather Z adapted to engage the chin. The cups 7a carry as in thepreviously described embodiment elbows which termmate in annuli 6 notshown, and which are spaced from the wearers car by the cushions 5. Asfurther means for retaining the ear pieces in snug engagement with thewearers ears, thereis provlded at the front of the helmet buckles 3"adapted to co-operate with a strap at extending through loops 70 and onthe cups in and adapted to engage the rear of the wearers neck at whichpoint the strap may be provided with a soft leather bearing surface on.I

It will thus be seen that an extremely practical communicating helmet orinter-connecting helmets has or have been provided whereby communicationmay be had vocally in ordinary tones between the respective Wearersunderconditions of high wind or loud noise and such helmets and theassociated parts may be adopted for wear in circumstances of warmth orcold suitable re-enforcement of the helmet being provided in theinterest of safety to the wearer, if desired. i

What I claim is v In combinationhwithv a helmet having a head portion,ear pieces formed with the head portion and adapted for the reception ofcushioning elements, means to retain the ear pieces in close contactwith the wearers head, conduits for the ear pieces, means to removablyconnect the ends of saidconduits to theear pieces and to removablysecurethe cushionlng elements, a mouth piece comprising flexible materialadapted to fit snugly upon a substantial portion of the wearers faceadjacentthe helmet to keep the mouth piece in place upon the wearersrface, a conduit for the mouth piece, means to connect said conduit to themouth piece, and means connecting the conduits for the ear pieces witheach other and with the conduit for the mouth piece and with anotherconduit.

This specification signed this 16th day of October, A, D. 1925.

HENRY RIDGEWAY the mouth, means carried with

